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= Getting Started =

osgVisual is based on !OpenSceneGraph. The first step to use osgVisual is to create a valid build environment to be able to compile and use !OpenSceneGraph. osgVisual itself can be compiled in any working osg build environment. Read [wiki:BuildEnvironment] to create a valid build environment.

To understand the basic concept of osgVisual, it is strongly recommended to read the [wiki:Architecture] wiki site and continue to read all the documentation of all relevant osgVisual modules. Without this lecture it would be hard to understand the basic concepts, even with the well commented source code. 

osgVisual consists of several module providing different functionalities. some of this Modules are interfaces to commercial software products like [http://sundog-soft.com Silverlining] or [http://www.wetzel-technology.com/ Vista2D]. It is possible to use this modules, but not required.

__It is possible to run osgVisual without any commercial module.__

As default, the commercial module sky_silverlining to interface [http://sundog-soft.com Silverlining] is used to get all sky functionalities, like sun/moon/stars,/atmosphere from space, distance fade, clouds, precipitation, fog.
Despite the license costs it is used for this purpose because creating a sky framework of this quality is beyond my abilities and especially beyond my available time. The license are absolute acceptable for silverlinings list of features.
For all

When your are able to compile osgVisual in its delivered version, you can start to modify the software for your own purposes. If you need detailed information regarding specific classes or functions, read the doxygen documentation on http://osgvisual.org/documentation/trunk/ Alle modules/classes which are finished are completely documented. All modules/classes under construction are docummented but not completed.

On questions about the project or !OpenSceneGraph, join the official forum on http://forum.openscenegraph.org/ and ask. The project leader of osgVisual reads the forum frequently.